Human remains removed from Lisbon woods

Family: Remains likely Christiana Fesmire

It could take days, if not weeks before the human remains found on Tuesday in the woods in Lisbon are positively identified.

However, the family of Christiana Fesmire said they have been told by police that they are all but certain the remains are those of their daughter.

"It's been a big relief. We are grateful that our daughter was found," said Fesmire's father, Chester Fesmire.

The 22-year-old Lewiston woman was killed in July 2011.

On Wednesday, the Medical Examiner's Office, with the help of a forensic anthropologist, removed the remains and took them to Augusta for analysis.

"The positive identification will be done at the Medical Examiner's Office, and these days we do quite a few of those with DNA. We frequently do a dental exam, if we have dental records to compare," said Marcella Sorg with the Medical Examiner's Office.

Lewiston police said they arrived in Lisbon on Tuesday after receiving a tip in connection with the Fesmire case.

Within minutes, detectives discovered the remains down a snowmobile trail, near the corner of Wagg and Ferry roads.

Police said this was not the first place they checked.

"We checked a couple other sites as well because of the information, based on the information, and we found it at the third site," said Lewiston Police Chief Michael Bussiere.

Last month, a jury convicted Buddy Robinson of murder for killing Fesmire. Prosecutors got the conviction despite not finding the body.

During the trial, prosecutors said Robinson beat Fesmire and drowned her in a bathtub in her own apartment.

Court papers said the two were co-workers and neighbors.

A friend of Fesmire said the new development brings closure.

"It's a horrible thing for somebody to be murdered, but to not have somebody to have closure with it is a horrible thing for parents, friends. She was well-known, well-liked, so it would just make me feel better if there was somebody to put to rest," said Kayla Leet.

Fesmire's father said he and his wife visited state police on Wednesday in Augusta for an update. He praised police and prosecutors in the case and thanked them for their dedication and for not giving up until his daughter was found.